NTUC FairPrice Singapore's largest retailer among firms yet to sign 'haze-free' declaration

Jessica Lim, The Straits Times/Asia News Network Jakarta Globe 6 Oct 15;

NTUC FairPrice is among seven companies that have not signed a declaration stating that their paper products are free of raw materials from firms being investigated for the forest fires in Indonesia.

Ten other companies have signed the form, said the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), which had contacted those that had paper products certified under its green label scheme.

About 20 per cent of the paper products carried by FairPrice are sourced from Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), one of the five firms under probe, through a local distributor.

"We assure that prompt and firm actions will be taken on any of our suppliers if they are found to be responsible for any unethical practices that contribute to the haze," said FairPrice chief executive Seah Kian Peng, without specifying what the actions would be.

He said the firm had approached APP to clarify its practices.

In the meantime, the supermarket chain said it would continue to carry APP products.

Late last month, the National Environment Agency (NEA) began legal action against the five companies - Singapore-listed APP and four Indonesian firms - it believes to be behind the burning.

Yesterday, APP told The Straits Times it had provided information in response to NEA's request, and invited the agency's officials to visit its operations in Indonesia.

It said: "We need to respect the ongoing investigations and efforts by the government of Indonesia and not jump to conclusions." It also said it would work with all parties to find a solution to the haze.

Among the seven firms that have not signed the declaration, printer paper supplier Mukim Fine Papers has stopped buying from APP as well as two other companies that are Indonesian.

"We will sell the remaining stock and then stop taking from these companies," said its business development manager Ben Chua, 41. "The companies are still under investigation but, judging from public sentiment, we want to signal to APP that we do not accept such actions."

He said he will sign the declaration when all his firm's APP stock has been sold in about a month or two.

Another company, Malaysian Newsprint Industries, said it did not work with the firms fingered but was waiting for its legal team to go over the declaration before it signed the form, said its technical support supervisor Tan Kin Chyuan.

A third company, Universal Sovereign Trading, the sole distributor for APP products in Singapore, said it had crossed out APP on the form before signing it.

Tissue paper supplier Tipex declined comment. The remaining firms could not be contacted .

Meanwhile, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said yesterday it had worked with the Association of Banks in Singapore on responsible financing by banks and would be issuing guidelines soon. Said its spokesman: "MAS is of the view that financial institutions have a role to play in supporting efforts to promote sustainable development."

It also said it supported plans by the Singapore Exchange to mandate sustainability reporting by listed companies regarding the environmental and social aspects of their businesses. Implementation is targeted for financial year 2017, following an ongoing public consultation exercise.

MAS added it would support the development of guidance for institutional investors on engaging investee companies on these issues, and said "lenders, investors, consumers, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and the media" all had roles to play.

Companies that signed the SEC declaration are required to inform the council if they start to do business with parties suspected of being responsible for the haze.

SEC executive director Edwin Seah said it would approach firms that did not sign the form. "We will investigate, then decide if we need to revoke their green labels."

He said the delay could be due to the firms making checks, as supply chains can be very intricate.

Consumers Association of Singapore president Lim Biow Chuan urged consumers to stop supporting companies that have not pledged to be socially responsible. "This will send a strong signal to the errant companies that consumers' goodwill should not be taken for granted," he said.

Hazy conditions here deteriorated yesterday owing to the prevailing winds blowing westward from Kalimantan in Borneo to Singapore, said the NEA in a 7pm update yesterday. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) then was 123-155, in the unhealthy range.

Today, the PSI is expected to be in the mid to high sections of the unhealthy range, with a slight improvement expected due to changing wind directions.

Shipping executive Ricky Chan, 53, said he would not be boycotting the listed products. "The haze is a problem that is not easy to solve. Singapore is so small, the companies supply not just to us but the whole world," said the father of two. "Even if I stop buying such things, it won't change anything."

But consumer Chan Chin Hee, 50, finds the list useful.

Said the businessman: "Now I can choose the companies that are not involved. The haze is really too bad now, my throat is so sore. This is the only way I can express my anger." (k)(++++)


20% of paper products at NTUC FairPrice sourced from Asia Pulp & Paper
Jamie Lee Business Times 6 Oct 15;

NTUC FairPrice on Monday said about 20 per cent of the paper products carried by the supermarket chain are sourced from Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Group, through a licensed distributor in Singapore.

Five Indonesian companies, including APP, were named by the National Environment Agency as possible contributors to the haze pollution. The Singapore government has sent notices to these firms for possible transgressions of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

FairPrice said that it is monitoring the progress of investigation on APP. It has also approached the group to register its concern and seek clarification on their practices.

"As a responsible retailer, FairPrice takes a strong stance in this matter as we expect our partners to adopt values that are aligned with ours; this includes adopting and promoting sustainable practices," Seah Kian Peng, CEO of NTUC FairPrice, said in a statement.

"The haze affects all of us and we empathise with our customers for the inconvenience and disruption that it has caused. We assure that prompt and firm actions will be taken on any of our suppliers if they are found to be responsible for any unethical practices that contributes to the haze."


10 firms declare their paper products are from sustainable sources
A list of firms manufacturing paper products such as toilet and printing paper will be regularly updated on the Singapore Environment Council and the Consumers Association of Singapore websites.
Channel NewsAsia 5 Oct 15;


SINGAPORE: Ten companies that manufacture paper products sold in Singapore have declared that they do not use products from five companies in Indonesia suspected of contributing to haze pollution.

The ten are certified under the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS), said the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) in a press release issued jointly on Monday (Oct 5).



The list of companies will be updated regularly on the SEC and CASE websites. The two agencies are awaiting declaration forms from seven other third-party manufacturers.

"Should any of the listed companies become involved in the purchasing or sourcing of wood, paper and/or pulp products from those suspected to be responsible for the haze pollution, they are bound by the declaration to inform the SEC of their activities and will be promptly removed from the list," according to the press release.

"SEC encourages other paper companies who have not participated in the SGLS to contact SEC soonest for certification that their products are from sustainable sources."

In September, the National Environment Agency said it has sent Preventative Measure Notices to four Indonesian companies - PT Rimba Hutani Mas, PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries, PT Bumi Sriwijaya Sentosa and PT Wachyuni Mandira - suspected of having haze-causing fires on their land.

NEA has also served notice to Asia Pulp and Paper Company (APP), an Indonesian company with an office in Singapore, seeking information on its subsidiaries in Singapore and Indonesia, as well as measures taken by its suppliers in Indonesia to put out fires in their concessions.

On Monday, CASE called on consumers to send a strong signal to "environmentally irresponsible" companies with their purchasing decisions.

"CASE would like to remind the public that the strongest voice is still the consumer. We hope that consumers will consider not supporting companies involved in the purchase or sourcing of wood, paper and/or pulp products unless they have pledged to be socially responsible," it said in the press release.

"This will send a strong signal to the errant companies that consumers’ goodwill should not be taken for granted and consumers will not support companies which are environmentally irresponsible and/or have contributed to the environmental disaster year after year."

- CNA/es

10 firms declare that their paper products are from ‘green’ sources
FRANCIS LAW Today Online 5 Oct 15;

SINGAPORE — A group of 10 companies that manufacture paper products that are sold in Singapore have distanced themselves from five Indonesian firms accused by the local authorities of contributing to the latest bout of haze engulfing the region, as the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) urged consumers to ditch support for environmentally irresponsible businesses.

The manufacturers, which include Kimberly-Clark Products, Fuji Xerox Singapore and Canon Singapore, have signed declarations that they do not buy or use wood, paper or pulp materials from these errant players, said the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and CASE, in a joint press release today (Oct 5). The list could grow in the coming weeks, as declaration forms from seven more third-party manufacturers are pending, they added.

The development comes after the National Environment Agency (NEA) said two Fridays ago it has served “preventive measure notices” on four Indonesian firms under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

The notice requires firms to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land owned or occupied by them, and discontinue any burning activities, among other things.

A fifth company was also asked to provide information, including measures it has taken to put out fires in their concessions.

At that time, the Government said it will also look into how it can support companies which are recognised by their industry or by international bodies to have instituted sustainable practices.

Today, CASE said it hopes consumers will consider not supporting companies that are not socially responsible.

“This will send a strong signal to the errant companies that consumers’ goodwill should not be taken for granted,” it added.

The SEC and CASE said firms that have signed declarations that they do not use suppliers suspected of contributing to the haze problem are obligated to inform the SEC should they start doing so.

The paper products of all 10 companies that have made the declaration are certified under the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme administered by the SEC.

To be certified, the products must be sustainably sourced and/or have recycled content, while they must also contain minimal or no hazardous substances, said the SEC’s Head (Eco-Certifications)/Lead Environmental Engineer Kavickumar Muruganathan.

“They also need to submit information regarding their management in terms of waste generated during the manufacturing process, water, energy use, and also what happens after the end of the product’s life,” he added.

To ensure compliance, random site audits are conducted on products and companies, said Mr Kavickumar.

Four of the 10 companies who responded to TODAY’s queries said they had no qualms about pledging their commitment to environmentally responsible dealings.

Fuji Xerox Singapore said they work closely with the Forest Stewardship Council, an international NGO promoting responsible management of forests, to ensure their papers come from “responsibly managed forests”.

Sunlight Paper Products, which procures raw materials from China, said the NEA’s identification of the five Indonesian firms suspected to be “the main culprits for causing the annual haze to our people (means there is) less likelihood that our company will procure raw materials from them in future”.

Meanwhile, the Singapore Government has responded to Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s remarks that it would take three years to end forest fires in Indonesia.

In response to TODAY’s queries, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said: “The Indonesian Government has shown commitment in its efforts to put out the fires ... However, more could still be done in combatting the fires as well as law enforcement, as the end of the problem is not within sight yet.”

The ministry added: “Indonesia has also recognised that the problem is best prevented instead of being reacted to ... and the Indonesian Government has gone to some lengths to enforce their laws against illegal land and forest burning. To support this course of action by Indonesia, Singapore has enacted the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to enable it to also take legal action against offenders who cause transboundary haze in Singapore while respecting Indonesia’s sovereignty.”

In a media advisory last night, the NEA said the haze situation may improve slightly today. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is expected to be in the mid to high sections of the unhealthy range, and may drop gradually to the low end of the unhealthy range if the haze conditions improve, said the NEA.

The air quality deteriorated throughout the day yesterday. At 10pm, the 24-hour PSI was 129 to 162. The three-hour PSI was 161, while the one-hour PM2.5 was 90 to 123.


10 companies declare their paper products from sustainable sources
Nisha Ramchandani The Business Times AsiaOne 6 Oct 15;

Ten firms with paper products sold in Singapore have declared that they only obtain wood, paper or pulp materials from socially responsible companies, with more likely to make similar declarations, as the haze continues to linger.

Among the 10 are Canon, Fuji Xerox, Kimberly-Clark Products and Sunlight Paper Products. They sell paper products certified under the Singapore Environment Council's (SEC) Singapore Green Labelling Scheme.

The SEC and the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) said in a joint statement on Monday that another seven third-party manufacturers are expected to submit declarations as well. The list will be regularly updated on both the SEC and Case websites.

This comes after five Indonesian companies were named by the National Environment Agency as possible contributors to the haze pollution. Among them were PT Rimba Hutani Mas; PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries; PT Bumi Sriwijaya Sentosa; PT Wachyuni Mandira and locally incorporated Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Company. The Singapore government has sent notices to these firms for possible transgressions of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

"Should any of the listed companies become involved in the purchasing or sourcing of wood, paper and/or pulp products from those suspected to be responsible for the haze pollution, they are bound by the declaration to inform the SEC of their activities and will be promptly removed from the list," they said in the statement.

NTUC FairPrice said on Monday evening that it has since approached APP Group, to register its concern and seek clarification on their practices. About 20 per cent of the paper products FairPrice carries are sourced from APP through a licensed distributor in Singapore.

Seah Kian Peng, CEO of NTUC FairPrice, said in a media statement that FairPrice takes "a strong stance" in this matter, as it expect its partners to adopt values that are aligned with the supermarket chain.

"This includes adopting and promoting sustainable practices. The haze affects all of us and we empathise with our customers for the inconvenience and disruption that it has caused. We assure that prompt and firm actions will be taken on any of our suppliers if they are found to be responsible for any unethical practices that contributes to the haze."

Case also urged consumers to consider supporting only socially responsible firms involved in the purchase or sourcing of wood, paper and pulp products.

"This will send a strong signal to the errant companies that consumers' goodwill should not be taken for granted and consumers will not support companies which are environmentally irresponsible and/or have contributed to the environmental disaster year after year," it said.


7 firms yet to declare they don't source from possible haze culprits
My Paper AsiaOne 6 Oct 15;

Printer paper supplier Mukim Fine Papers has stopped buying from Asia Pulp and Paper (APP).

The local firm, which imports paper to distribute here, also halted supplies from two Indonesian firms it gets its paper from.

"We will sell the remaining stock and then stop taking from these companies," said its business development manager Ben Chua, 41. "The companies are still under investigation but judging from public sentiments, we want to signal to APP that we do not accept such actions."

He added: "We also want to signal to consumers that we are serious about the environment."

Products from APP and Indonesia make up 10 per cent of Mukim's stock. Most of its paper products are from Europe.

According to the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), the firm is one of seven which did not sign a SEC declaration stating their paper products here are free of raw materials from five other companies under investigation for their involvement in the haze.

Mr Chua said Mukim will sign it when all its APP stock has been sold - in about a month or two.

In a joint statement with the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) yesterday, SEC listed 10 companies that had signed the declaration, out of the 17 they had contacted with paper products certified under the green label scheme administered by the council.

Late last month, the National Environment Agency (NEA) began legal action against five companies - Singapore-listed firm APP and four Indonesian firms - it believes are possible culprits behind the burning of forests in Indonesia that caused the haze.

Another company that did not sign the SEC declaration is NTUC FairPrice Co-operative. About 20 per cent of paper products the supermarket chain carries are sourced from APP through a distributor here.

"We assure that prompt and firm actions will be taken on any of our suppliers if they are found to be responsible for any unethical practices that contributes to the haze," said NTUC FairPrice's chief executive Seah Kian Peng, who added that the firm has approached APP to seek clarification on its practices.

Meanwhile, the chain will continue to carry APP's products.

Malaysian firm Malaysian Newsprint Industries, which also did not sign the form, said it was getting it vetted by the firm's legal team. Its technical support supervisor, Tan Kin Chyuan, said that the firm does not work with the firms being probed.

Tissue paper supplier Tipex declined comment. The remaining three firms could not be contacted.

Those that signed the form are required to tell SEC if they begin to do business with parties suspected to be responsible for the haze.

SEC's executive director, Edwin Seah, said the council will be approaching firms to ask why the form was not signed. "We will investigate, then decide if we need to revoke their green labels."

He added that the delay could be due to the firms making checks. "Supply chains can be very intricate. Firms can have many suppliers who farm out their processes to even smaller firms."

Case's president Lim Biow Chuan urged consumers to stop supporting companies who have not pledged to be socially responsible. "This will send a strong signal to the errant companies that consumers' goodwill should not be taken for granted," he said.

Shipping executive Ricky Chan, 53, who works in shipping, said that he will not be boycotting paper products not on SEC's list.

"The haze is a problem that is not easy to solve. Singapore is so small, the companies supply not just to us but also the whole world," said the father of two. "Even if I stop buying such things, it won't change anything."

But consumer Chan Chin Hee, 50, finds the list useful.

Said the businessman: "Now I can choose the companies that are not involved. The haze is really bad now; my throat is so sore. This is the only way I can express my anger."